You want to play in college. Do you know what it takes and what you're getting into?
I spoke with a mother of a former D1 player. "What was your daughter's college experience like?" "She didn't have one. She trained, practiced, worked out and played with the team. She was an employee who also got an education."
John Giannini describes what it takes to be successful in Court Sense. You need two out of three among elite size, elite skill, and elite athleticism. The rare individual, like Isaiah Thomas, can make it without size.
Pete Carril looks at the whole person. "I don't recruit players who are nasty to their parents." Coaches have enough headaches. They don't want players who create more for them with academic or behavioral problems.
Roy Williams watches how a player treats his teammates. He saw a player foul out in an AAU game. He hustled off the court and went to the water dispenser and got cups of water for his teammates. Coaches want players who are all about the team not all about themselves. Gregg Popovich says, "get over yourself."
Coach Calipari acknowledged in Players First that he's only scouting the top 50 players in the country. That eliminates almost everyone from even thinking about Rupp Arena as their home court.
Successful coaches know talent evaluation. They occasionally find a diamond in the rough. Jerry Tarkanian told this story in Runnin' Rebel. He went to a tournament to watch one player and discovered Stacy Augmon. You can be discovered but that's on YOU.
Dean Smith recruited winning players. "I would never recruit a player who yells at his teammates, disrespected his high school coach, or scores 33 points a game and his team goes 10-10." You must learn how to manage yourself.
Brad Stevens noted that Ronald Nored was the best giver he had ever seen. "In 11 years, never had a player in the program that worked his tail off on the defensive end that wasn’t a great teammate/student." You are how you play.
Carla Berube, who won a national championship at UCONN and has become an elite D3 coach, told me she wants players who "know how to play the game." Coaches see everything.
When I'm watching a player, I'm looking at their impact to change the game through their teammates...attitude and athleticism.
Coaches don't want "red flags." Bad grades means poor effort. Bad behavior means low character. Low respect for the game (opponents, officials, situations) ends badly.
When coaches seek out talent, they also realize they inherit all the 'baggage' that comes with players. It's the rare player who overcomes behavioral challenges. Marvin "Bad News" Barnes illustrated that truth. If you're a foundational talent, control what you can - your attitude, choices, and effort.
Bonus:
US Women versus Senegal. Horns into Corner 3.